Richard Altieri Named as a Schwarzman Scholar
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Scarsdale's Richard Altieri has been chosen to receive a scholarship to study at the new Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Schwarzman Scholars is designed to prepare its graduates to build stronger relationships between China and a rapidly changing world and to address the most pressing challenges of the 21st Century. The first class of 111 scholars was chosen from over 3,000 applicants.
The program was created and by Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman and co-founder of the Blackstone Group. Schwarzman contributed $100 million to the school and raised another $275 million. The plan is to establish a $450 million endowment to fund 200 students each year. Its mission is to prepare the next generation of global leaders to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century. Whether in politics, business or science, Schwarzman believes that the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China's role in global trends.
The inaugural class in 2016 will develop their leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year Master's Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing. They will spend a year immersed in an international community of innovators and senior leaders in business, politics and society. In an environment of intellectual engagement, professional development and cultural exchange, they will learn from one another and pursue their academic disciplines while building their leadership capacities. Students will pursue degrees in Public Policy, Economics and Business or International Studies. This experience will expand students' understanding of the world and create a growing network of global leaders for the future.
Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the 200,000 
square foot campus will house one of the most advanced higher-education facilities in the world and will be the first LEED Gold–certified academic building in China. Students will live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, where all classes will be taught in English.
Richard Altieri recently graduated from Amherst College and is currently pursuing a Watson Fellowship in cross-cultural humor. His fellowship involves performing and studying stand-up comedy in English, Spanish, and Chinese. In college, by teaching English abroad in China and researching policy, Richard developed a passion for education. Looking forward, Richard intends to explore how education policy can facilitate deeper cultural understanding between the United States, Latin America, and China. In the long term, he aspires to start a consultancy that develops education policy at the broadest levels, promoting artistic, social, and historical understanding between nations. Richard is 23 years old and grew up in Scarsdale. He attended Regis High School and is fluent in Chinese and Spanish.
How You Can Help Westhab to Help Local Kids in Need
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This article was submitted to Scarsdale10583 by Ananya Gurumurthy, a freshman at Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School.
Westchester County, known to be one of the wealthiest counties in the country, still has persistent pockets of poverty. According to the Empire State Security Campaign of Westchester, the poverty rate is higher than both the national average and that of any other northern state*. Westchester's high countywide wealth averages have created the false perception of affluence, while the reality differs immensely. Sadly, economically stagnant communities are home to thousands of children who are often ensnared in the vicious cycle of poverty.
These children face multiple challenges throughout their lives. However, there are organizations like Westhab, whose mission is to ease the burdens on these children. Westhab has been attempting to provide these children and their families with the asylum and services they need. Additionally, Westhab has helped almost 1,200 at-risk youth by creating the Youth Services Program since it was founded in 1988. The Youth Services program offers homework help, clubs, and occasional field trips to all children. As a volunteer for the Westhab Youth Services in the Coachman Family Center in White Plains, I have seen firsthand how dedicated staff and counselors make a huge difference in young peoples' lives.
After speaking to Giselle Ayala, director of Youth Services at Westhab, I learned that there are a few simple ways to contribute. According to Giselle, "People can call Westhab directly at 914-345-2800 ext. 122 and ask whether they would like to help out with the Youth Services. After that, John Parssinen [director of volunteering] will direct them to the appropriate Westhab location. If someone would like to donate directly, they can contact Roxanne Telyczka at 914-345-2800 ext. 111."
Welcoming 2016 creates a great opportunity to get involved with our communities and make a change in the lives of others. It is a great way to kick-start the New Year, as it provides a great beginning to those being helped and it brings great joy to those who help out. In the New Year, volunteering at Westhab could prove to be a great resolution to make and to keep!
Santa in Scarsdale
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Santa had a busy week, posing for photos with Scarsdale kids and their parents at Breakfast with Santa on Saturday December 12th and answering the 156 letters he received from local children.
On Saturday, 143 families signed up for a pancake breakfast with Santa at the Scarsdale High School cafeteria. There was food, crafts and the chance to meet Santa and pose for photos.
Santa is spending this week responding to the 156 letters he received from local kids with their Christmas wish lists. Popular gifts on request this year are the ever-popular Hess truck, hoverbaords, minecraft, playstations, aqua beads and dolls.
However, some had more on their minds than presents.
Two children said that all they wanted was peace in the world.
And another little boy wanted to know if Santa was real. He said, "I have had a hard time this year going back and forth between my mom and dad's homes, and I really want to see someone awesome like you!
CNC Seeks Candidates For Village Trustee
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Do you know someone who might be interested in serving as a Village Trustee? The Scarsdale Citizens Nominating Committee (CNC) is currently selecting candidates to run on the Citizens' Non-Partisan Party slate for three open Trustee positions on the Village Board.
Potential nominees for Trustee must be citizens of the United States, residents of the Village of Scarsdale, and at least 18 years of age. Mayor Jonathan Mark noted that future trustees should be able to listen to residents, fellow Board members and Village staff; make the necessary time commitment; have a willingness to work with others; be interested in educating oneself on the issues presented; and a professional, courteous demeanor.
Trustee David Lee's seat will be open as his second term expires in 2016. Trustees Deb Pekarek and Marc Samwick will be eligible for nomination to serve a second term.
Further information regarding Scarsdale's non-partisan system can be found here.
Trustee David Lee, whose second term expires in 2016, advised the CNC during its public organizational meeting, that being a trustee is a lot of work, but a lot of fun for anyone interested in learning more about the ins and outs of local government. He suggested that the CNC, "...look for people with a record of community involvement, who appear to be open-minded and fair-minded, and yet willing to compromise when necessary in working toward consensus ... and look for people who would make themselves accessible to our residents and would be good communicators with them, while being able to maintain objectivity when deciding how to vote on Village issues." Finally he said, "look for people who get along well with others, which is critical for a well-functioning board and professional Village staff."
Does this sound like you or anyone you know? You can play a role in the Village's non-partisan system, by filling out the paperwork available on the web site, or suggest potential candidates to anyone of the volunteers serving on the CNC. The names of CNC representatives elected in each Scarsdale district can be found here. Chairman Howard Nadel can also be contacted at (914) 723-2829 or howard.nadel@gmail.com. Help make our democracy work by acting now.
Mayor Addresses Gun Violence
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New Yorkers were deeply shaken by the violence in San Bernadino last week. What measures are our lawmakers taking here to prevent a similar incident closer to home? At the December 8th meeting of the Board of Trustees, Mayor Jon Mark briefed residents on what the Scarsdale Police Department, along with Westchester County does to counter active shooters and terrorism.
Here are his remarks:
The horrific events that took place last week in San Bernardino are tragically very much on our mind during the start of this holiday season. With those sad events in mind, we are aware that this evening at another venue a forum is being held at which community leaders, clergy and members of various civic organizations are discussing this topic. We therefore thought it worthwhile to comment briefly here on how the Village has focused on this issue and some of the planning that has been done over the years. The following summary was provided by our Police Chief, Andrew Matturo.
The Scarsdale Police trains and partners with regional, county and state law enforcement agencies in an effort to maintain operational as well as intelligence preparedness in both "Active Shooter" situations and Counter Terrorism.
In the wake of the Columbine tragedy in 1999, all members of the Scarsdale Police Department continuously train in active shooter and rapid response techniques. Several times a year, through the cooperation of the Superintendent of the Scarsdale School District, all officers train in various school buildings throughout the district. Officers train with "simunitions" equipment and tactical gear, utilizing the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) protocols along with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) incident command structure. In addition to this ongoing training, the Scarsdale Police Department maintains a "random walk through" program wherein officers are assigned to different schools, on a daily basis, to conduct a walk through check. This program has fostered a positive relationship with the students and staff at each school and has given our officers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the various floor plans of each building. We have also expanded this program to include other schools within the Village.
Our training officers have presented numerous on-site demonstrations for the staff at these schools as part of our overall annual training agenda. The Department maintains necessary equipment in each of the police vehicles assigned to patrol in order to respond immediately in the event of an incident.
The Scarsdale Police Department is a member of Counter Terrorism Zone 3 (CTZ3) which includes Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Along with all zones within the state, our department collaborates with the county and state police and receives daily briefings via email. Several of our officers are certified as Field Intelligence Officers who are updated regularly with pertinent information.
Several times during the calendar year, the Patrol Section Commander issues heightened states of alert orders, increasing specific patrol at all houses of worship, the Scarsdale train station and other locations throughout the Village, depending on intelligence shared within the zone. In addition, the CTZ3 issues "tasking" requests during the year requesting targeted patrol of locations based on current intelligence.
The active shooter training and rapid response would be used in the event of an incident related to terrorism.
The Scarsdale Police Department maintains an inter-municipal agreement with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety which includes all police departments within Westchester County referred to as, the Mutual Aid and Rapid Response Plan. When activated, the plan provides several levels of increased police personnel and equipment in response to unusual occurrences or civil unrest. Specialized units and resources are also available to any member department.
The Scarsdale Police Department encourages all residents to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings. Report any suspicious activity to the Police Department immediately so we can work together in keeping Scarsdale a safe place to live, work and enjoy.
Measures to address gun violence involve social and political choices that go far beyond the scope of our local government. It is not our intention to create a false sense of security with respect to events that are by their nature unpredictable, nor do we wish to give rise to undue concerns. However, we want residents to know that our Village staff and, particularly our Police Department, is very much aware of the violent events that have shaken all of us, and has taken the steps just summarized with a view to being prepared for what we hope will never happen here.
